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There really are no limits to the methods of intimidation, threats and open terror that Russia is applying, both at home and in occupied Ukraine to force men into taking part in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Three 16-year-old boys were freed last week after being illegally held hostage in a Chechen police station since late December 2024. While possible that the publicity which the Memorial Centre gave to this abduction contributed to the release of Said Idigov; Elbrus Saidayev and Mansur Shabazov, the lads were only freed after their fathers, all of whom are over 50, agreed to ‘sign contracts’ with the Russian army, which they would certainly have known meant being sent immediately to fight in Ukraine.
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While you may need the specific lawlessness under Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s Chechen protégé Ramzan Kadyrov to abduct men’s 16-year-old sons, hold them prisoner, without any charges, and deprived of any contact with their families, there are constantly reports of Russian conscripts and others being forced to sign such contracts.
In occupied Donbas, such coercion, or worse, began around the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and it has not improved since.
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The methods of coercion described, however, have been seen in occupied parts of Donbas since February 2022, with men seized at their workplace, off the street or in their homes. It was known then that Ukrainians from occupied Donbas were being sent, effectively as cannon fodder, as they received no training, nor proper gear. It seemed clear then that Russia preferred using people from occupied territory, since no records were kept, and there was no need to provide compensation to bereaved families, etc.
Russia is now targeting very young people, and those who would not be liable for conscription because they are in full-time study.
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